The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group works to help people whose rights have been violated and investigates cases involving such abuse, as well as assessing the overall human rights situation in Ukraine. The Group also seeks to develop awareness of human rights issues through public events and its various publications

On 8 September in Kyiv and 10 Ukrainian cities an awareness-raising action with the above title has been organized by the social network Human rights activists in action and the educational programme “We Understand Human Rights”. The action is aimed at ensuring that young people know their rights when in contact with the police and drawing the attention of both the public and the Ministry of Internal Affairs management to the issue of human rights observance by police officers. It is a part of a nationwide student information and educational programme for establishing monitoring over MIA activities.

In many cities human rights workers, members of well-known civic organizations and youth activists will visit educational establishments to teach young people how to defend their rights. Various striking performances are planned simulating situations of conflict between young people and the police. Ten thousand booklets will be distributed giving young people information about their rights if detained by police officers.

The events will end with the youth activists and well-known human rights workers gathering at the central offices of the MIA and calling on those in charge of Ukraine’s police force to tighten control over the activities of police officers in the regions and to explain to them fundamental principles when detaining people as stipulated by current Ukrainian legislation.